During a live broadcast of Dirt Nation™ presented by Lucas Oil this past Monday, August 14, defending MACS Series Champion, Mike Balzano of Parkersburg, WV, was interviewed for the upcoming USA 100 TM at Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, VA.

During the conversation Balzano indicated that, “If I win, (the USA 100™ final 50 lap segment) I will donate $1,000 from my winnings to Bill Sawyer’s charity of choice, if he matches me”. Shortly after the show concluded Sawyer was quick to accept Balzano’s challenge and the “Make-A-Wish Foundation will be the benefactor of their collective generosity.

Sawyer is pleased to be involved and stated, “Mike is a tremendous ambassador for the sport. He understands life issues of family, as well as giving back to the community in an effort to help families in difficult times, especially children which we all hold near to our hearts. Mike and I are both parents and would do anything we could for our children, and to that end, we want to help other people from our community who’s children are ill with life-threatening conditions. I am very pleased and honored to participate with such a quality individual in such a great endeavor. I hope he wins because it will be a win-win for Make-A-Wish and all there kids,” concluded Sawyer.

Balzano had equally kind words for one of the best short track promoters in the country. “Bill and his entire staff have developed a class facility for us to race at and he treats all of us (MACS and the racers) like an extended family. I knew if I put this challenge out there he would scoop it up in an instant. Now all I have to do is win so we can help these kids,” summarized Balzano.

Today adding their support to this blossoming worthwhile project is VMS General Manager Clarke Sawyer, who will contribute $500 if Mike wins the final 50-lap finale. In addition to these pledges MACS Corporate Attorney Louis Long, of Pietragallo, Bosick & Gordon, LLC (Pittsburgh) will participate by providing a pledge of $100 plus the MACS Series will contribute $500.00 and Bill Corwin, Sunoco Racing Products and Mike Bazell, Bazell Oil, have joined forces to add yet another $1,000 to the project if Balzano wins.

Bill Sawyer is taking his involvement one big step forward. Through his generosity he will now match any and all additional pledge amounts dollar-for-dollar in addition to his original $1,000 offer. That brings the current grand total with Bill Sawyer’s matching donation to over $6,200. Let’s see if we can top $10,000 for the KIDS!!

Russ Bradford, Senior Sales Manager for Bazell Oil commented, “We Challenge all the other Series sponsors and fans to rally around this effort and drive the pledges skyward. This is a neat deal and we are glad to support the MACS Series and Virginia Motor Speedway is supporting Make-A-Wish. Mike Balzano is an excellent person and we are proud to be associated with him in his quest to win the race to benefit the kids,“ concluded Bradford.

Anyone can pledge their support to this effort and the Make-A-Wish foundation as they cheer on Mike Balzano to win the final 50 lap portion of the USA 100TM, Saturday, August 19, at Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway and make a difference for all the Children at Make-A-Wish. At the track fans can stop by the VMS apparel stand and register their pledge, and if Mike wins, then stop back after the event is over to make their donation.

Other interested fans that aren’t able to attend and want to just make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation can send checks to Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway, PO Box 15485, Richmond, VA 23227. Check should be made out to Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Mission of Make-A-Wish Foundation® is "Grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy."

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors, and entire communities.